Tom McCrone, Will Roberts, Tom Banks, Rory Banks, George Cullen and Jack Scantlebury have all called time on their 1stXV careers. All of the lads played mini’s and/or youth rugby at the
Club and have amassed over 700 1stXV appearances between them and will leave a sizeable amount of experience on and off the field.

Tom Banks debuted way back in the 2011/12 season under the leadership of Peter Engledow in which the club went on a record 17 game winning run, in which Tom played a role in. He was the top points scorer in National 2 South in the 2016/17 league winning side. His two game winning kicks against OE’s away and Rams at home will live long in the memory for all involved. A tough and durable scrum half, but with skills to match, Banksy would very often be seen bumping off would be tacklers and chopping opposing players defensively. He was selected to tour Romania with England Counties in 2018 after representing Hertfordshire at Twickenham in the final of the county Championship.

Will Roberts also debuted in the 2011/12 season and played a role in the 2012/13 National 3 London & SE title winning season. Will then attended Loughborough University but still kept his ties with the club and would often come back to play when required. A short stint at Blackheath before Will came ‘home’ and was a mainstay in the front row for the Nat 2 South winning season and throughout our journey in National 1. A free running, powerful ball carrying prop, who’s scrummaging only improved with age, and an eye for the whitewash as he finished with 7 tries in his last season.

Jack Scantlebury or ‘Scants’ as more commonly know came into the 1stXV during the 2015/16 season and has been a regular member of the 1stXV ever since. A standout performance at home against title rivals Chinnor in the 2016/17 season a highlight as well as keeping the then captain of the 1stXV out of the side during the season defining run of games post Xmas when relegation loomed in 2018/19. A hard hitting centre who’s communication skills allowed our attacking game to develop and unlock the toughest of defences. Scants also played his part in the off field entertainment and would often be seen leading court sessions at the clubhouse. Scants also appeared at Twickenham for Hertfordshire in 2018.

George ‘GC’ Cullen, an Oxford Blue & Ireland Age Group representative has got to be one of the most skilful and talented players the club has seen in a long time. His ability to break a game open when seemingly nothing is on, most notably during the ‘great escape’ in 2018/19. Over 100 1stXV appearances to his name, some on loan whilst he spent a season in the Championship with London Scottish. GC, comfortable in both the 10 & 15 shirt, as well as in the centres, is one half of the Hairy Handlebars who cycled from London to Tokyo back in 2019.

Tom McCrone aka ‘Croney’ who recently passed 200 appearances for the 1stXV in the home game Vs Chinnor at the end of the 2022/23 season has been ever present in the team since breaking through during the Nat 2 South Playoff season in 2014/15. The highly durable and hardworking prop was named in the Nat 2 South ‘Team of the Year’ when we won the title in 2016/17 (even though Sean Edwards believes it was mistaken identity!?). A fierce competitor, always playing right on the edge and sometimes spending a short period on the naughty step, National League referees will certainly breathe a sigh of relief at the news of Tom’s retirement…

Finally Rory Banks the eldest of the retirees, whom came through slightly later after university, but made no lesser impact on and off the field. A combative and hard nosed back-rower, comfortable in 6, 7 or 8, but the skills of a back. Rory’s work often went unnoticed and may not have got the plaudits he deserved but hugely appreciated by his teammates.

The club would like to thank these lads for what they have all done for the club and how they certainly leave the shirt in a better position than when they found it. Their unwavering commitment and hard work to perform to the best of their abilities over such a long period is much appreciated. We hope to see them on the sidelines or turning out for the social sides in years to come. Good on you fellas. COYB.